The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-29
MANNINGs PRIVATE OFFICE.
Where Politicians Met and Discussed
Affairs of State
Fronl AZ Nelr York Tin,es

From the NetC York Times.
The private office of Daniel Manning in
the Argus newspaper office is to-day exactly
what it was when Mr. Manning went +,
Washington in the winter of 1885 to accept
the Treasury portfolio. To most of the
politicians of the State this little Office is
very well known. 1t is a compartment
perhaps dozen feet sqnare, on the ground
floor of the Argus building To reach it it
was necessary to pass through the Broad
way entrance to the business office. Ii was
lighted by windows in Beaver street, and
was at once secluded and comfortable, a re-
treat, in fact, to which almost every Demo-
cratic politician of note in the State has at
one time or another directed his footsteps.
Mr.. Manning had another Office In the
Commercial Bank, which was around the
corner ON State street, but banking was
so much more exacting than his news
paper duties that M. Manning pre-
ferred not to be disturbed by politicians at
the bank office. To the newspaper Office,
however, everybody was welcome The
last time that he was visited by any man of
note in his den was in September, 1886.
His visitor was no less a person than the
President of the United States. Mr. Cleve-
land had Just emerged from the Adiron-
dacks, and was on his way to Washington.
The car containing his party stood on a
siding at the Delaware and Hudson station
during the night. Early in the morning the
President and Dan Lamont aiighted and
walked over to the Argus Office, some blocks
distant. There the President was cioseted
with the Secretary Of the Treasury for an
hour. The result of the interview was that
tne latter, who had been improving in
health, agreed TO return to the Cabinet. He
had previously written his resignation and
placed it, in Mr. Cleveland's hand, but the
President had declined to receive it,
Although the business manager of the
Argus, Mr.. William H. johnson, occupied
the private Office after Mr. Manning went
to Washington, he was particular to keep
everything in the same shape in which they
had been left by his chief Nothing was
moved. The top of Mr. Manning's desk
was rolled down and its conteets were left
undisturbed Even the mimic figure of
fat man reading, with evident content, his
morning Argus Mr.. johnson insisted should
remain on the desk top where Mr. Manning
had placed IL with his own hands. The piece
was presented TO Mr.. Manning by Editor
Cassidy when that gentleman returned
from Europe in the seven les. il was such
striking resemblance, i'll feature at least,
to Roswell p. Flower that visitors often
commented upon it. On the walls Of the
office were pictures of Tilden, Hancock,
Peer Cagger, Hoffman, Edwin Cross well.
who was to the Democracy of his day
what Thurow Weed was to the
Republican party. and Judge Rufus w
Peckham, now member of the Court OF
Appeals. Between Mr.. Manning and Mr.
feckham the warlnest friendship ever ex-
listed. A picture of MIR. Manning himself,
taken in 1871 after his return from Europe,
whittier he had gone for his health, having
suffered severely from hemorrhage of the
lungs, also occupied place on the wall
Early in life Mr.. Manning was foreman of
the Argus printing department. In Mr.
johnson, who occupied the same Office. and
was finally promoted to be business man
ager, Mr.. Manning had the greatest conf
dence. They had been associates for TWEEN
ty-two years, and their relations were never
in the least disturbed. Mr.. Manning's con-
tidence in him continued uuimpaired to the
last 1t was a cruel thrust at this gentle
man, the story that was put in circulation
some time ago that he was engaged in AN
attempt to wrest the control of the news
paper from his chief